Louis Browne KC represents WAST at Inquest into the death of Mouayed Bashir

February 15, 2024

Louis Browne KC from Exchange Chambers has represented the Welsh Ambulance Services NHS Trust (WAST) at the 3-week Inquest into the death of Mouayed Bashir.

A jury inquest at Gwent Coroner’s Court heard Mr Bashir, 29, was highly agitated on the morning of February 17, 2021 which led his parents to call Gwent Police to attend their home in Maesglas, Newport. He had been showing symptoms of Acute Behavioural Disturbance (ABD) after taking cocaine and was screaming and breaking furniture in his bedroom. ABD is an umbrella term referring to various conditions of medical emergency where someone behaves in a manner that may put themselves or others at risk. It can often be caused by drug use and symptoms include agitation, confusion, sweating and incoherence.

Police body-cam footage shows officers restraining Mouayed at the wrists and legs. They are also heard attempting to calm him while waiting for an ambulance to arrive.

The 29-year-old later suffered a cardiac arrest after being put into the ambulance, and despite the efforts of police officers and medics at the Grange hospital, could not be revived.

Recording a narrative conclusion, the jury found that Mouayed’s death was caused by “cocaine intoxication” contributed to by ABD following a period of restraint by the police.  Referring to the police response, the jury also said: “We believe from the evidence we heard that there was insufficient knowledge and understanding around identifying some of the signs of Acute Behavioural Disturbance.”

The Senior Coroner made no recommendations to prevent future deaths to WAST on the basis that she was satisfied with the ongoing actions being taken.

Louis Browne KC was instructed by Trish Gaskell at WAST.

Said Trish Gaskell: “Thank you to Louis for your excellent advice, patience, careful analysis of the complex evidence in this case and particularly your sensitivity when supporting the witnesses, in addition to eloquent advocacy and management of this matter on behalf of the Trust.”